ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Navy intercollegiate sailing team secured its spot in the finals of the ICSA Open Fleet Race National Championship on Wednesday, finishing as the runner-up of the championship's eastern semifinal in St. Petersburg, Fla.
 
The open championship field, featuring the top 36 teams from across the country, was divided into two semifinal regattas, with the top nine schools of each event advancing to the finals.
 
Racing began Tuesday in an 8-to-12-knot easterly wind that faded throughout the morning and early afternoon. Competing in the eastern semifinal, the Midshipmen committed a foul in the opening race and finished 15th after penalty turns, but settled down to put together a solid first day. Late thunderstorms prevented the development of a sea breeze, limiting Tuesday's action to four "A" division and two "B" division races.
 
The second day of competition started early in another steady easterly wind that eventually faded. A sea breeze filled in later in the day, allowing a few final races to be completed in a 6-to-10-knot westerly wind to close out the event.
 
Navy remained consistent throughout the day to claim second place and easily advance to the finals.
 
Senior Nathan Smith and sophomore Sarah McNelly finished third in the "A" division, while juniors Henry Allgeier and Fiona Cullen took second in the "B" division.
 
The ICSA Open Fleet Race finals begin on Thursday and wrap up on Friday in St. Petersburg.